Legal Help Desk

Question: “We’ve just signed a big supply contract, but now the vendor is delaying deliveries. The agreement doesn’t clearly define penalties for delays. Is there a way to fix this or protect ourselves moving forward?” Answer: Ah, the classic “missing penalty clause” predicament—a favorite among vendors who test your patience and inventory levels simultaneously. First,...

In supply contracts can we include penalties for delays?   End of Service Gratuity or DEWS: What do I get from my DIFC employer?   Jurisdiction Clause: Safeguarding Interests in International Contracts   Force Majeure Clause in Contracts: Being Prepared for the Unexpected   The Hazards of Using Standard Templates for Contracts   Partnership Agreements:...

Question:  “We’ve heard about companies getting burned by poorly drafted termination clauses. For instance, in Project X, the builder terminated the contract, leading to significant delays and legal battles. Similarly, some small firms have been pressured into long-term contracts with hefty termination fees, causing financial strain. We’re worried about facing similar issues. How can we...

Question:  “We thought we were being careful, but boy, were we wrong. We signed an NDA with a potential vendor before discussing a new product launch. Everything seemed fine—until six months later, we found out they’d pitched a remarkably similar product to one of our competitors! We pointed to the NDA, but it turned out...

Question:  “Our clients often ask for non-compete clauses in agreements. How do we ensure they’re enforceable under UAE law without being overly restrictive for us? I don’t want to sign something that feels like a lifetime sentence!”  Answer:  Ah, the dreaded non-compete clause—a classic tug-of-war between “You can’t steal my clients!” and “But I still...

Question:  “We’re about to sign a partnership agreement with another company. How do we ensure that roles, responsibilities, and profit-sharing are fair and clearly defined to avoid disputes later?”  Answer:  Ah, partnerships are the cornerstone of great business ventures. However, when poorly managed, they can cause sleepless nights. A partnership agreement is like the blueprint...

Question:  “We’ve been using standard templates for our contracts—just tweaking them a little for each deal. But I keep hearing horror stories about businesses getting blindsided by hidden liabilities buried in these ‘boilerplate’ clauses. Are we taking a huge risk by relying on these templates? Should we be doing more to protect ourselves?”  Answer:  You...

Question: “The pandemic taught us some tough lessons. We thought our contracts covered unpredictable events, but when push came to shove, those ‘force majeure’ clauses didn’t really protect us. I’m worried we’re still not prepared for the next big disruption. How can we make sure our contracts actually work in extreme situations?”  Answer: Ah, force...

Question: “We work with clients from all over the world, and when we sign contracts, there’s always this tug-of-war about whose laws apply. I’m worried that if we miss something, we’ll end up in a foreign court with unfamiliar laws. How can we ensure UAE laws protect us? And what happens if the contract doesn’t...